Company patents
adidas AG
adidas AG's patent strategy reveals a surprising and significant investment in manufacturing technologies, with 'Plastics Shaping & Molding' experiencing a remarkable 228.6% YoY growth in 2024 and 'Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)' growing by 41.7% in 2025, indicating a strong focus on advanced production methods beyond its core 'Footwear' (51.1% of portfolio) and 'Sports Equipment' (12.2% of portfolio) categories. While core consumer categories like 'Footwear' and 'Sports Equipment' saw substantial growth in 2024 and 2025, the sharp decline in patent filings across nearly all categories so far in 2026 suggests a potential shift in R&D focus or a natural fluctuation in patenting cycles.
Patent Trend by Technology Area
Yearly patent publications since 2023
Product themes
Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.
524 US filings (since 2023) · 12 categories · 25 themes
Utilization of knitted components, often with multi-layer structures or integrated thermoplastic yarns, and other advanced materials like specialized foams or structural color elements, for footwear uppers and other components.
Engineering of footwear sole components, including midsoles, outsoles, and integrated plates or shanks, to optimize cushioning, stability, energy return, and biomechanical support for specific activities.
Footwear systems designed with interchangeable or reconfigurable components, such as soles, uppers, or footbeds, to allow for customization, repair, or adaptation to different uses.
Novel mechanisms for securing footwear to the foot, moving beyond traditional laces to include reel-based cables, vacuum-actuated bladders, or integrated frames for enhanced fit and ease of use.
Techniques for combining multiple materials or layers, often with specialized surface treatments, coatings, or assembly methods, to create functional or aesthetically enhanced plastic articles, including consumer goods and encapsulated electronics.
Integration of electronic sensors and feedback mechanisms into footwear for monitoring physiological parameters, providing navigation assistance, or detecting health conditions.
Systems using artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor athlete performance, provide personalized training plans, predict physiological responses, or create virtual representations for feedback and analysis.
Apparel or accessories that incorporate electronic components such as sensors, communication modules, haptic feedback devices, or processing units for enhanced functionality and interaction.
Development and application of textile materials with engineered properties such as waterproofing, thermal regulation, anti-cling, structural coloration, or enhanced filtration capabilities for specific performance needs.
Design principles and features in apparel that allow for adjustability, customization, easy replacement of components, or specific fit to accommodate diverse body shapes, activities, or medical requirements.
Development of devices and methods for non-invasive or minimally invasive collection and analysis of physiological data, often from wearable sensors, to monitor health, activity, or specific conditions.
Apparatuses and systems designed for handling, storing, practicing with, or maintaining equipment used in ball and net sports, such as pickleball, baseball, or basketball.
Innovations in golf club heads, shafts, and balls focusing on material science, aerodynamic properties, weight distribution, and impact response to improve player performance and product durability.
Development and application of polymer compositions designed for reprocessability, recyclability, or incorporating sustainable additives, often featuring reversible bonds or bio-based components.
Systems and methods for non-invasive or minimally invasive collection and analysis of physiological data (e.g., blood pressure, electrolytes, genetic markers, B cell repertoire) to assess patient health status, screen for conditions, or aid in diagnosis.
Protective equipment, such as mouthguards or helmets, designed with enhanced structural integrity, ergonomic fit, and sometimes integrated sensors for performance or safety monitoring.
Techniques for building three-dimensional metal objects layer-by-layer using metal powders, including powder bed fusion, binder jetting, and directed energy deposition. This theme encompasses process mechanics, equipment design, and operational control for AM systems.
Technologies for securing, managing, and transacting with virtual currencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other blockchain-based digital assets, including hardware wallets and tokenization schemes for various purposes.
Specialized manufacturing processes and material compositions for producing various components of tires, focusing on properties such as weight reduction, self-sealing capabilities, or structural reinforcement, often involving winding or layering techniques.
Computational methods and design principles for generating optimized geometries, internal structures (e.g., lattices, minimal surfaces), or functional features that are specifically enabled or enhanced by the capabilities of additive manufacturing.
Design improvements in exercise equipment focusing on user comfort, safety, adjustability, and space-saving features like folding mechanisms or modular components for home or gym use.
Systems designed to streamline and automate various commercial transactions, including mobile-enhanced processes, secure online checkouts, customer service interactions, and privilege issuance, often leveraging digital authentication.
Garments and accessories engineered to provide protection against physical impacts, environmental hazards (e.g., moisture, pathogens), or to enhance personal safety through features like airbags or specialized masks.
Processes involving the application of heat and pressure to shape thermoplastic or elastomeric materials, often using molds or presses, to achieve specific forms or material properties.
Systems and methods for authenticating users, devices, or applications, authorizing their access to resources based on policies, and managing digital identities across various platforms.
Patents
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